On November 1, 2009, health authorities launched a vaccination campaign against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) at 14 emergency shelters located in 6 counties and cities in the nation.A bigger turnout for H1N1 vaccination as compared to that for seasonal influenza vaccination was noted on the first day of the campaign.Only 46 people turned out for seasonal influenza vaccination on October 1, 2009.Vaccinationof pandemic influenza A (H1N1) will soon begin at the other 8 emergency shelters.

Medical personnel from local health bureaus are in charge of the vaccination campaign of the people affected by Typhoon Morakot at the emergency shelters.The immunization began at 8am on November 1 and was proceeded smoothly.For those who missed the vaccination on November 1, they still have top priority for the vaccine and will still be able to get vaccinated later on. Premier of the Executive Yuan Den-Yi Wu and Minister of Health Chih-Liang Yaung visited the emergency shelter to supervise the vaccination process and instructed the health authorities to ensure smooth proceedings of the campaign because it is Taiwan’s largest vaccination campaign ever.

Vaccination of front-line health care personnel against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) will start on November, 2, 2009 and vaccination of infants aged above 6 months and below 1 year will start on November 9, 2009.The list of over 500 contracted hospitals administering the vaccine will be announced on November 2, 2009.The other remaining priority groups on the vaccine list will receive vaccination according to the schedule.The public is urged to pay close attention to announcements concerning the vaccination campaign made by the government in order to get vaccinated.